ELMSFORD, N.Y. (September 20, 2013) -  The USGA Senior Amateur Championship is headed to Cashiers, North Carolina, where seven of the Met Area’s top seniors will compete at Wade Hampton Golf Club. After 36 holes of on-site stroke play qualifying, the field of 156 golfers all age 55 and older will be cut down to the low 64 scorers for match play.

RELATED: Scoring

Here’s a look at who will be representing the Met Area:

Jay Blumenfled, Parsippany, N.J.- The 18-time Club Champion at Mountain Ridge Country Club advanced to the Round of 32 at last year’s USGA Senior Am, held at his home course. He was the 2007 MGA Senior Amateur Champion, and this summer finished T-13 at the British Senior Amateur in August.

Jim Craffey, Franklin Lakes, N.J.- Craffey is one of the youngest players in the field after just turning 55 in August. He shot a 3-under 69 at Mansion Ridge in Monroe, N.Y. to qualify for this year’s championship.  He has played in U.S. Amateur and Mid-Amateur championships and is a ten-time Club Champion at Arcola Country Club.

Allan Small, Florham Park, N.J.- The former MGA Senior Amateur champ (2009) has won the New Jersey Senior Amateur four times (’08-’09 and ’11-’12). He was the low amateur in the 2012 MGA Senior Open and finished T-3 at this year’s MGA Senior Amateur.

Jon Tingley, Flemington, N.J.- The reigning MGA Senior Amateur champion finished T-10 at this year’s Florida Senior Amateur and in the top 10 at the 2012 NJPGA/NJSGA Senior Open.  In 2010 he captured the NJPGA/NJSGA Senior Open Championship along with low amateur honors.

Ron Vannelli, Metuchen, N.J.- This is the 5th time that the 2012 MGA Senior Amateur champ will be playing in the USGA Senior Open, and his 12th USGA championship overall.  He advanced to match play in this event in 2012. In 2005 Vannelli won the Met Amateur and was the MGA Player of the Year.

George Zahringer, New York, N.Y.- In August, Zahringer won the British Senior Amateur at Royal Aberdeen Golf Club. He finished as the runner-up in the 2008 USGA Senior Amateur, and last year he advanced to the second round of match play. Zahringer holds the records for the most MGA victories (15), won the 2002 U.S. Mid-Amateur, and was a member of the Walker Cup team in 2003.

David Zeid, Reddington, Conn.- Zeid advanced to the semifinals in this year’s Connecticut Senior Match Play. He is a frequent competitor in both CSGA and MGA events.

Wade Hampton Golf Club will be a true test for the group, as it's 6,842 yard setup is the longest in the history of the USGA Senior Amateur.